|
|
Indian Muslims have missed the bus during four decades of planned economy. They should avail of opportunities presented by the era of liberalization and globalization. For that a sense of economic realism is urgent.
|
Economic realism for Indian Muslims
9/1/2001
- - Article Ref: MG0302-1869
Number of comments:
By: Saeed Suhrawardy
Milli Gazette* -
 |
Depending on circumstances, economic decisions
of Indian Muslims have been subject to compulsions. After independence of the
country, their options were limited. Among the circumstances influencing their
decisions, pride of place goes to partition and subsequently to Indo-Pak
relations. They have never been in a position to influence Indo-Pak relations
but Indo-Pak relations have influenced them quite often adversely.
Immediately after partition the only choice was to stay in India or to migrate
to Pakistan. Officially the option was available to government servants working
in India. Majority among them opted for Pakistan. They were the lucky ones. They
got a fair share of opportunities created by migration of Hindus and Sikhs from
Pakistan to India. In Punjab there was exchange of population. So bulk of Muslim
population with exception of certain pockets had to migrate to Pakistan,
irrespective of their trade, craft or profession.
From the viewpoint of Indian Muslims the post-independence era may be divided in
three distinct phases:-- The initial period (1947-65) 2; second phase 1965-1971;
and the current one,- post-1971 period. The initial period after independence
was characterized by unsettled conditions, turmoil and political uncertainty.
The period follows partition and ends with Indo-Pak conflict followed by
Tashkent Agreement. During that period, divided Muslim families were the worst
to suffer. Initially there was complete black out for them. Those living in
India were worried for the safety of their kith and kin across the border.
Similar was the case of those who had migrated to Pakistan. There was no direct
link between them for a long time.
After Tashkent Agreement communication lines were resumed via London, Dubai or
even Toronto, depending on availability of common contacts. In that period also
the feeling of uncertainty about future persisted. Gradually the realization
dawned upon Muslims that for all practical purposes Pakistan was a foreign
country. It would be futile to expect relief and redress from there. The main
feature of the1947-65 phase was large-scale disinvestments by Muslims
voluntarily and compulsorily. It was voluntary when Muslims disposed of their
property for migration or daughterŐs marriage or any other purpose. They were
dispossessed of their assets after enforcement of evacuee property laws due to
migration of their relatives to Pakistan. The disinvestments in 1947-65 was not
balanced by acquisition of property or assets except by gift to avoid
acquisition by government as evacuee property. Muslim land-owners were adversely
affected by land reforms, wherever undertaken.
Ads by Google:
Advertisements not controlled by IslamiCity
|
In the second phase, 1965-71 things got settled but there was still confusion
about their future. The process of disinvestments by Muslims ceased in that
period. However enthusiasm for investment or enterprise is not noticed in that
period.
Economic generalization about Indian Muslims cannot be established by
statistics. As one who has been persistently engaged in formulating a thesis
about the economic situation of Indian Muslims, I have observed three important
indicators of economic decision-making by Muslims. (a) Their attitude to
building houses or acquiring property (b) their interest in starting and running
enterprises (c) the keenness of Muslim youth in appearing for competitive
examinations.
Between 1947 and 1965 the attitude of Muslims in all three categories has been
negative. The three categories indicate the long period vision of an individual.
An individual builds a house or starts a business or prepares for competition,
when he has a long-term vision of a secure future. That motivation was absent
between 1947 and 1965. It was weak between 1965 and 1971. The Indo-Pak conflict
of 1971, the defeat of Pakistan and the emergence of Bangladesh were a watershed
in shaping the economic attitude of Indian Muslims. PakistanŐs defeat came as
a severe jolt to them. The fate of Muhajirs in Pakistan and Biharis in
Bangladesh added to their disillusionment.
In post 1971 period there has been a spurt in their interest in building houses,
colonies and cooperative house-building societies. There is a sudden growth of
awareness of their educational backwardness. They have engaged themselves in
trade and commerce and manufacturing, whatever opportunities available. The
efforts of individuals have borne fruits. However there has been no serious
collective effort to accelerate their economic revival. That requires a
well-organized centre with complete information about risks and opportunities.
The centre should serve them by guiding them towards progress by identifying
areas of growth and opportunities. It should be in a position to send alarm
signals about impending recession in a particular area. The era of voluntary,
honorary public service is over. We need a cadre of well-paid committed
community leaders.
Indian Muslims have missed the bus during four decades of planned economy. They
should avail of opportunities presented by the era of liberalization and
globalization. For that a sense of economic realism is urgent.
Source: The Milli Gazette
( RSS Feed / Podcasting 
)
|
The opinions expressed herein, through this article or comments, contain positions and viewpoints that are not necessarily those of
iViews. These are offered as a means for iViews to stimulate dialogue and discussion in our continuing mission of being an educational organization.
The iViews site may occasionally contain copyrighted material the use of which may not always have been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. iViews is making such material available in its effort to advance understanding of humanitarian, education, democracy, and social justice issues, etc. We believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. In accordance with Title 17
U.S.C. Section 107, and such (and all) material on this site is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. For more information go to:
http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml. If you wish to use any copyrighted material from this site for purposes of your own that go beyond 'fair use', you must obtain permission from the copyright owner.
|
|
